Peter makes case for title bout by stopping Toney

January 8, 2007|By Sharon Robb Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD — Samuel Peter shuffle danced in a circle and celebrated in the ring after erasing any doubts he should be the No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger to World Boxing Congress heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev.

After a controversial split decision in their first meeting four months ago, the well-conditioned Nigerian came out on the attack at the opening bell and never let up on aging veteran James Toney to win a unanimous decision in the WBC-mandated rematch late Saturday night at the Hard Rock Live Arena.

The lopsided judges' scores of 118-110, 118-10 and 119-108 was evidence of Peter's dominance in the brutal action-packed fight filled with punishing body shots, heavy jabs and upper cuts. A short jab on the chin dropped Toney in the second round in front of a first boxing sellout crowd of 5,238.

It was the first time Toney had been knocked down in nearly 13 years and only the second time in his long pro career. Toney tried to counter with combination punches but Peter, at 26, the youngest heavyweight ranked in the top 10, was too strong and powerful, and had him against the ropes for most of the 12-rounder.

Peter earned $1.5 million and Toney $1.1 million.

"You saw what I did tonight -- I taunted him," Peter said. "I gave him the Muhammad Ali shuffle with a little Floyd Mayweather, too."

Peter came in at a muscular 249 pounds, eight pounds less than their past meeting. Toney weighed 234.

"I fought my best fight and I thank God for this night," said Peter (27-1, 22 KOs). "I trained very hard for four months for this fight. I have never ran in my life, but I ran hard for this fight, on the beach down here. I was ready for the fight."

Peter gave promoter Don King credit for suggesting to train in South Florida for five weeks instead of Las Vegas.

"I am not the best in the heavyweight division," Peter said. "I am not the best, but I will be. The champions with the belts right now are the best. When I take the belt, I will be the best. It will be sweet to be the very first world champion from Africa."

Toney (69-6-3, 43 KOs), who absorbed several punishing shots, said that he will return and "fight all comers."

"I have done what no one has ever done in boxing," Toney said. "No one knocks out James Toney. This guy was supposed to be a heck of a puncher and he couldn't knock me out."

In the co-feature, super welterweight Travis Simms regained the World Boxing Association (WBA) title in devastating fashion after a two-year layoff with a bloody ninth round TKO of Jose Antonio Rivera. Rivera, in his first WBA super welterweight title defense, was outclassed by the quick lefthander.

"I knew he was tough," said Simms. "We have a history from the amateur days. I relied on my speed and, tonight, that left hook just came to me. I persevered. I stayed in the gym, worked hard. I was determined. Don't ever doubt my determination.

"I am looking at the top guys now," said Simms, who at 35 is unbeaten at 25-0, 19 KOs. "Mayweather, De La Hoya, Spinks."

Hopkins seeks Jones

Part-time Miami resident Bernard Hopkins, fresh off a brief retirement, has his sights set on Roy Jones Jr. The fight is in the talking stages. Hopkins was one of several celebrities at the marathon nine-bout card.